LAHORE: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has dropped the hammer on a principal appraiser involved in a serious case of negligence that cost the exchequer dearly.
The FBR has imposed a strict penalty on Irfan Masih, a principal appraiser (BS-16), following revelations of gross inefficiency in a high-stakes customs case involving the mis-declaration of imported goods.
The case stems from a mis-valuation scandal in which imported coffee sachets were shockingly assessed at a lowball rate of USD 3.90/kg instead of the actual USD 8.75/kg — a move that raised red flags across the department. Disciplinary proceedings were launched under the Civil Servants (Efficiency & Discipline) Rules, 2020, and the FBR wasted no time in charging the principal appraiser for his failure to apply due diligence.
A formal inquiry, led by Deputy Collector Aadarsh Jawahery, concluded that while charges of corruption and misconduct could not be proven, inefficiency on the part of the principal appraiser was “undeniably established.” Despite repeated chances to explain himself, Irfan Masih admitted during a Zoom-based hearing that the valuation ruling had been overlooked due to a rush of workload.
The FBR’s Member (Admn/HR) slammed the appraiser’s lax approach, noting that someone with over eight years of experience should have shown “greater vigilance and commitment to revenue safeguarding.” As a result, the Authority rejected the initially recommended “Censure” penalty as insufficient and instead ordered the withholding of one increment for a year without cumulative effect — a stinging rebuke of the officer’s negligence.
Adding to the blow, the officer’s performance allowance has been suspended for six months, a move that further underscores the gravity of the lapse. Though reinstated into service, his suspension from January 7, 2025, to date will be counted as leave under Revised Leave Rules.
The penalized principal appraiser now has the option to appeal this decision within 30 days, but the damage to his professional record may already be irreparable.
This incident sends a loud and clear message from the FBR — inefficiency, especially when it jeopardizes state revenue, will no longer be tolerated in silence.
